Brandy

Brandy is a liquor distilled from wine (brandy)
or fermented fruit juice (fruit brandy). Is is
then are aged in wood containers, which contributes flavor and color.
The name "brandy" comes from the Dutch brandewijn, meaning
"burned wine".

The best known of all wine based brandies is the French Cognac
produced in the Cognac (Charente) region of France. A relative of the
Cognac is the Armagnac. It has a richer taste but less finesse than
the Cognac.

Several other countries than France produce brandies. Some of them
are Spain, Portugal, Italy, Greece, Germany, the United States, Chile
and Peru.

Spanish brandy

The Spanish brandies are a by-product of the production of sherry.
They have a full flavor and are slightly sweet.

Greek brandy

One famous Greek brandy is the Metaxa. It is distilled from red
grapes, sweetened and flavored with herbs.

South American brandy

The best known South American
brandy is the Pisco, national drink of Chile.

Brandy is not always distilled from the wine. Marc, from France,
and grappa, from Italy, are distilled from the remaining skins, husks
and stems of the wine production. They are not always aged and have a
light yellow color (if any).

Most fruit brandies are made from fermented fruit mash (such as
apples and pears), but other sugar-poor fruits not capable of
fermentation (such as raspberries and blackberries) can be soaked in
neutral spirits and then re-distilled. Most fruit brandies are aged in
steel, glass or clay containers, keeping them colorless and clear.

Within the general category of fruit brandies, a distinction is
made between distillates from pomaceous fruits, stone fruits and
berries.

Brandy from pomaceous fruits

This is fruit brandy made from apple and pear. A must or cider is
made from the fruit, aged and then distilled. This produce a raw
distillate with high alcohol content. The distillate is then diluted
with water and sometimes aged on casks. The best known apple brandy is
Calvados.

Brandy from stone fruits

The most important stone-fruit brandy is kirschwasser made from
sweet or sour cherries. Other popular stone-fruit brandies are plum
brandy and apricot brandy.

Brandy from berries

Most berries have too little fruits to ferment properly, and are
soaked in neutral spirits which absorbs the flavors. The alcohol and
berries is then distilled. The best known berry-brandy is the
raspberry brandy, but brandies are also made from bilberries,
blackberries, strawberries, black and red currant and cranberries.

Fruit brandies are either served neat as an aperitif or used in
mixed drinks. Fruit brandy served neat should not be chilled.